Cartridge receiver, cartridge system, drink preparation machine and method for producing a drink

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a cartridge system ( 1 ) for producing a drink in a drink preparation machine, comprising a cartridge ( 2 ) that has a reservoir ( 6 ) filed with a drink substance ( 7 ), and a cartridge receiver ( 10 ) that can be reversibly connected to the cartridge, said cartridge receiver ( 10 ) comprising a mixing chamber ( 8 ) and a cartridge discharge device ( 34 ) which causes at least partial transfer of the drink substance ( 7 ) from the reservoir ( 6 ) into the mixing chamber ( 8 ), and said cartridge receiver ( 10 ) comprising a fluid supply ( 12 ) which opens into the mixing chamber ( 8 ). The invention also relates to the cartridge receiver ( 10 ) of the cartridge system ( 1 ), the drink preparation machine, and the corresponding method for producing a drink ( 70 ).

BACKGROUND

The present invention proceeds from a cartridge system, insertable intoa beverage preparation machine, for producing a beverage, in particulara cold beverage, having a cartridge which has a reservoir filled with abeverage substance, and a cartridge receptacle which is reversiblyconnectable to the cartridge and into which the cartridge is reversiblyinsertable, and having a cartridge emptying device which effects an atleast partial transfer of the beverage substance from the reservoir intoa mixing chamber.

Such systems are known in principle from the prior art, for example fromEP 1 806 314 A1 and US 2002/130140 A1, and are used to produce beveragesfrom pre-portioned cartridges. The production of beverages with suchsystems is extremely convenient for the user since he merely has toinsert a cartridge and press a start button. The beverage preparationmachine then undertakes the production thereof in a fully automatedmanner, i.e., in particular, the beverage substance is blended with apredetermined quantity of liquid, in particular cold and carbonatedwater, and conveyed into a drinking vessel. In this way, in particularmixed drinks can be produced much more easily, quickly and with lesseffort for the user. The user can choose from a large number ofdifferent cartridges here, and so he can produce different beverages asdesired.

A major challenge with such systems is that of reliably and completelypreventing back-contamination of the beverage preparation machine duringthe production of the beverage, since otherwise there is the risk ofsoiling through to mold formation within the beverage preparationmachine. This goes in particular for cartridges which contain beveragesubstances containing fructose, alcohol or milk.

In systems known from the prior art, the cartridge is usually insertedinto a cartridge receptacle that is configured as a fixed constituent ofthe beverage preparation machine, and the cartridge is then opened onboth sides, i.e. on an inlet side and on an outlet side. On the inletside, water is subsequently introduced into the cartridge by means of afluid feed, such that the beverage is already formed within thereservoir in the cartridge by the beverage substance being blended withthe water. On the outlet side, the beverage leaves the cartridge and isconveyed to a drinking vessel. The water flows through the reservoirfully in the process and thus causes the beverage substance to beconveyed out of the reservoir.

It has been found that, when the water is introduced directly into thereservoir filled with the beverage substance, back-contamination of thefeed cannot be completely prevented because the reservoir is usuallycompletely filled with the beverage substance and, as a result, aconsiderable rise in pressure takes place in the reservoir uponintroduction of the water. Both this rise in pressure in the reservoirand the flushing of the reservoir ensure that, during and/or shortlyafter the beverage production, very small droplets, particles and/orsuspended solids of the beverage substance pass into the fluid feed andresult in continuous soiling of the beverage preparation machine there.

SUMMARY

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide acartridge receptacle, a cartridge system, a beverage preparationmachine, and a method for producing a beverage by inserting thecartridge system into a beverage preparation machine, in whichback-contamination of the beverage preparation machine is effectivelyavoided.

This object is achieved by a cartridge receptacle as described hereinand a cartridge system as described herein.

The cartridge receptacle according to the invention and the cartridgesystem according to the invention have, compared with the prior art, theadvantage that the fluid feed, unlike in the prior art, does not leadinto the reservoir of the cartridge but into the mixing chamber that isseparate from the reservoir. This effectively preventsback-contamination of the beverage preparation machine from taking placethrough the fluid feed in a manner that is simple and cost-effective torealize. For this purpose, the reservoir is not flushed by the fluidbut, according to the present invention, the beverage substance and thefluid pass into the mixing chamber separately from one another. Thefluid is passed directly into the mixing chamber, while the beveragesubstance is transferred into the mixing chamber by the cartridgeemptying device and independently of the fluid. It has been found that,as a result, back-contamination of the beverage preparation machine isprevented in a much more effective manner compared with the prior art,in particular since no overpressure acting directly on the fluid feed isgenerated in the reservoir. The configuration of the mixing chamber inthe cartridge receptacle, which is reversibly insertable into thebeverage preparation machine, advantageously ensures that the mixingchamber is part of the exchangeable cartridge system. In this way,soiling of the beverage preparation machine by the beverage substance iseffectively avoided because only parts of the exchangeable disposable orreusable cartridge system come into contact with the beverage substance.It is also conceivable for the cartridge to be exchanged for eachbeverage production operation, while the cartridge receptacle is usedfor several beverage production operations before it, too, is exchanged.Preferably, the reservoir of the cartridge system is closed by a sealingelement which is opened only during or after the insertion of thecartridge system into the beverage preparation machine. The sealingelement serves to close off the cartridge in an aroma-tight mannerduring transport or storage, with the result that for example a longstorage life of the cartridge can be achieved.

Advantageous configurations and developments of the invention can begathered from the dependent claims, and from the description withreference to the drawings.

According to one preferred embodiment of the present invention,provision is made for the cartridge to be connected fixedly orreleasably to the cartridge receptacle or for the cartridge receptacleto be connectable fixedly or releasably to the cartridge. Preferably,the cartridge receptacle is fastened reversibly to the cartridge,particularly preferably by a latching connection. It is conceivable forexample for the cartridge to comprise a kind of bottleneck (having thecartridge opening) with a circumferential retaining flange and for thecartridge receptacle to be clip-fastened onto the bottleneck. In theprocess, in particular elastic latching elements, for example retainingarms, engage behind the retaining flange. The cartridge is provided inparticular as a single-use container for the beverage substance, beingin particular recyclable. Advantageously, the cartridge receptacle canbe used multiple times by being able to be fastened to differentcartridges. In addition, the production of the cartridge system issimplified since the cartridge and the cartridge receptacle can beproduced separately and the cartridge receptacle is subsequently merelyclip-fastened onto the cartridge. The cartridge comprises in particularan angular, round or rounded bottle. The cartridge is produced inparticular from plastic in an injection blow-molding process or in aninjection-molding process or by other molding processes. In principle,however, a thermoforming process would also be conceivable for producingthe cartridge. Likewise, it would, of course, also be conceivable forthe cartridge to be usable multiple times.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention,provision is made for the cartridge emptying device to comprise acompressed-air connection for connecting to the compressed-air source,and a compressed-air line which extends from the compressed-airconnection to a compressed-air outlet, and wherein the compressed-airoutlet protrudes in particular in the direction of the reservoir of thecartridge in order to blow compressed air into the reservoir. Thecartridge emptying device integrated into the cartridge receptacle thuscomprises, within the meaning of the present invention, first of allonly one compressed-air line, through which compressed air can beintroduced into the reservoir from the outside. The cartridge system isconfigured such that the beverage substance is pushed out of thereservoir into the mixing chamber by the compressed air. The compressedair is provided in particular by the beverage preparation machine. It isconceivable for a compressed-air source to be coupled directly to thecompressed-air connection as soon as the cartridge system is insertedinto the beverage preparation machine. This has the advantage thatback-contamination in the direction of the beverage preparation machineis effectively avoided because the cartridge emptying device isimmediately under pressure when the cartridge system is inserted andthus beverage substance is prevented from traveling in the direction ofthe compressed-air line and in particular in the direction of thecompressed-air source of the beverage preparation machine. The beveragesubstance can thus move only in the direction of the mixing chamber fromthe reservoir.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention,provision is made for the mixing chamber to have a beverage outletthrough which the beverage formed from a blend of the beverage substancewith the fluid is discharged, wherein the cartridge system is preferablyconfigured such that the beverage is able to be introduced directly intoa portable vessel from the beverage outlet. Advantageously, therefore,neither the beverage substance nor the produced beverage comes intocontact with any part of the beverage preparation machine, and so any(back-)contamination of the beverage preparation machine is more or lessavoided. The fluid is fed to the mixing chamber separately. Preferably,the fluid is introduced into the mixing chamber under pressure. Thefluid is provided in particular by the beverage preparation machine. Itis conceivable for a fluid source to be coupled directly to acorresponding fluid connection of the cartridge receptacle as soon asthe cartridge system is inserted into the beverage preparation machine.The fluid connection is in this case fluidically connected to the mixingchamber via a fluid line. This has the advantage that back-contaminationin the direction of the beverage preparation machine is effectivelyavoided because the fluid connection is immediately under pressure whenthe cartridge system is inserted and thus beverage substance isprevented from traveling in the direction of the fluid line and inparticular in the direction of the fluid source of the beveragepreparation machine. The beverage substance and the beverage can thusmove only in the direction of the beverage outlet from the mixingchamber. The fluid comprises in particular water, preferablypressurized, cooled and/or carbonated drinking water.

According to one preferred embodiment of the present invention,provision is made for the mixing chamber to be provided with mixingstructures. The mixing structures advantageously ensure improved mixingof beverage substance and fluid. For this purpose, the mixing structuresare configured in particular such that the fluid flowing into the mixingchamber is swirled. It is conceivable for the mixing structures tocomprise one or more mixing ribs which are arranged in the region of thefluid feed at the bottom of the mixing chamber and extend substantiallyperpendicular to the direction in which the fluid flows in. The mixingribs thus act as barriers for the fluid, with the result that the fluidis swirled up and better mixing with the beverage substance is achieved.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention,provision is made for the fluid feed to be supplied with fluid which iscooled by a refrigeration unit, wherein the refrigeration unit is partof the beverage preparation machine or of a separate refrigeratoroperatively connected to the beverage preparation machine.Advantageously, it is thus possible for cold beverages to be producedeven when the cartridge is not cooled and is at room temperature forexample. The integration of the system into an existing refrigerator hasthe advantage that the existing refrigeration unit of the refrigeratorcan be co-used easily in an efficient manner for the beveragepreparation machine. In particular, in what are known as “side-by-side”refrigerators (often also referred to as American refrigerators),sufficient installation space for integrating the system can be found inthe front. It is conceivable for the beverage preparation machine to bea retrofitting set for such a refrigerator. The refrigeration unitcomprises preferably a compressor cooling unit, an absorber cooling unitor a thermoelectric cooler.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention,provision is made for the fluid feed to be supplied with fluid to whichcarbonic acid is added by a carbonator. It is conceivable for thecarbonator to be part of the beverage preparation machine, and whereinthe carbonator has a receptacle for a CO₂ cartridge and a feeding devicefor adding CO₂ from the CO₂ cartridge to the fluid. Advantageously, itis thus also possible to produce carbonated soft drinks with the system.Alternatively, it would also be conceivable for the carbonator to havean external CO₂ connection.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention,provision is made for the cartridge receptacle to be formedsubstantially in one part, or wherein the cartridge receptacle comprisesa cover element and an outlet element connected to the cover element.

Within the meaning of the present invention, a one-part form of thecartridge receptacle in particular does not mean that the cartridgereceptacle has to consist of a single part, but merely that thecartridge receptacle does not consist only of the cover element andseparate outlet element in this specific one-part embodiment. In otherwords: The cover element and outlet element are formed in one part inthe one-part embodiment.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention,provision is made for the cover element to be reversibly connectable andin particular latchable to the cartridge such that a cartridge openingleading to the reservoir is closed at least temporarily or partially bythe cover element, and wherein the outlet element is reversiblyconnectable and in particular latchable to the cover element. In orderto produce this embodiment of the cartridge system, the cartridge isproduced, subsequently the cartridge is filled with the beveragesubstance through the cartridge opening, and subsequently, in order toclose the cartridge opening, the cartridge receptacle is clip-fastenedonto the cartridge. In this case, the outlet element has in particularthe fluid feed, the compressed-air connection, the mixing chamber, andthe beverage outlet, while the cover element has the compressed-airoutlet, in particular protruding into the reservoir, for introducing thecompressed air into the reservoir. It is conceivable for thecompressed-air outlet to comprise a hollow spike which is operativelyconnected via the compressed-air line to the compressed-air connectionformed on the cover element or on the outlet element.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention,provision is made for a fluidic connection between the cartridge openingand the mixing chamber to be able to be established by means of a valveunit, wherein the valve unit is transferable by a relative movementbetween the cover element and the outlet element from a closed stateinto an open state in order to establish the fluidic connection.Advantageously, the reservoir can accordingly be opened such that thebeverage substance can be transferred from the reservoir into the mixingchamber by means of the compressed air simply by the relative movementbetween the cover element and outlet element being carried out. Thisrelative movement can take place before or after the cartridge system isinserted into the beverage preparation machine.

Preferably, the cover element has a passage opening leading to thecartridge opening, wherein the valve unit is formed by the passageopening and a protrusion, protruding into the passage opening, of theoutlet element, wherein, by way of a relative movement between the coverelement and the outlet element, the protrusion is shifted from aposition closing the passage opening into a position partially openingup the passage opening. The wall of the passage opening is provided inparticular with at least one lateral channel, wherein the protrusion isarranged in the region of the at least one lateral channel in theposition partially opening up the passage opening. Preferably, aplurality of lateral channels that are arranged in a parallel manner areprovided in the wall of the passage opening. The lateral channels extendperpendicularly to the cross section of the passage opening, but eachextend only over a section of the wall. The protrusion has in particularan external peripheral sealing edge which bears against the inner wallof the passage opening in the closing position and thus closes thepassage opening. As a result of the relative movement, the protrusion isdisplaced preferably in a linear manner in the direction of thereservoir or away from the reservoir, such that the external peripheralsealing edge passes into the region of the lateral channels and losesits sealing action, since the beverage substance can flow around thesealing edge, through the lateral channels.

It is conceivable for the cross section of the lateral channels and/orthe number of the lateral channels to be adapted to the viscosity of thebeverage substance, such that the lateral channels control or limit theflow of the beverage substance in the direction of the mixing chamber.At a high viscosity, a plurality of lateral channels or lateral channelswith a relatively large cross section are used, while, at a lowerviscosity, fewer lateral channels or lateral channels with a smallercross section are provided. Consequently, for different types ofbeverage substances, preferably different cover elements (each withadapted lateral channels) are used. Thus, a matching cover elementexists for each cartridge. The protrusion is configured in particular inthe form of an anvil, wherein the external peripheral sealing edge formsthe cross-sectional enlargement with respect to the base of the anvil.

In the above-described embodiment, the cover element and outlet elementare configured as separate parts in order that the relative movement isexecutable. The relative movement in this case comprises in particular alinear movement of the cover element and of the outlet element towardone another or a linear movement of the cover element and of the outletelement away from one another in order to move the protrusion within thepassage opening and relative to the lateral channels.

According to an alternative further preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, provision is made for the cartridge to have a cartridgeopening fluidically connected to the reservoir, wherein the cartridgeopening is closed by a sealing element, wherein the sealing elementcomprises in particular a sealing foil which has been applied to andpreferably sealed onto the edge of the cartridge opening. In thisembodiment, the cartridge receptacle is configured in particular in onepart, i.e. there are no separate outlet and cover elements. In order toproduce this cartridge system, first of all the cartridge is createdwith the cartridge opening, then the cartridge is filled with thebeverage substance through the cartridge opening, subsequently thecartridge opening is closed by the sealing element, and finally thecartridge receptacle is clip-fastened onto the cartridge in the regionof the closed cartridge opening. Before, during or after the insertionof the cartridge system into the beverage preparation machine, thesealing element has to be opened in the region of the cartridge opening,for example by perforation of the sealing foil, in order that thebeverage substance can be transferred from the reservoir into the mixingchamber by introduction of the compressed air. Preferably, to this end,the cartridge receptacle has a piercing spike that protrudes in thedirection of the cartridge, such that, as a result of a relativemovement between the cartridge receptacle and the cartridge, thepiercing spike pierces the sealing element and a fluidic connectionbetween the reservoir and the mixing chamber is created. It isconceivable for the cartridge to first of all sit in a preliminaryposition within the cartridge receptacle, in which the piercing spike isaway from the sealing element, and, after the cartridge system has beenintroduced into the beverage preparation machine, to be transferred fromthe preliminary position into an end position in which the piercingspike pierces the sealing element. When the cartridge system istransferred from the preliminary position into the end position, thecartridge and the cartridge receptacle are moved further toward oneanother, in particular in translation, wherein the sealing element isactively pierced by the piercing spike during this movement.Subsequently, the piercing spike projects through the sealing element inthe direction of the cartridge opening. Preferably, at least one lateralchannel for conveying the beverage substance in the direction of themixing chamber when the sealing element has been pierced has beenintroduced into the wall of the piercing spike. Through the lateralchannel formed laterally on the piercing spike, the beverage substancecan then flow past the sealing element in the direction of the mixingchamber. Preferably, a plurality of lateral channels are formed on thepiercing spike. The lateral channels are in particular each configuredin the form of a groove that is open on one side.

It is conceivable for the cross section of the lateral channels and/orthe number of the lateral channels to be adapted to the viscosity of thebeverage substance, such that the lateral channels control or limit theflow of the beverage substance in the direction of the mixing chamber.At a high viscosity, a plurality of lateral channels or lateral channelswith a relatively large cross section are used, while, at a lowerviscosity, fewer lateral channels or lateral channels with a smallercross section are provided. Thus, a matching cartridge receptacle existsfor each cartridge.

Preferably, the piercing spike has a through-hole in which acompressed-air tip is mounted so as to be displaceable between aretracted position, in which the compressed-air tip does not projectbeyond the piercing spike in the direction of the reservoir, and anextended position, in which the compressed-air tip projects beyond thepiercing spike and into the reservoir. Preferably, the compressed-airtip is transferred from the retracted position in the direction of theextended position after the sealing element has been perforated by thepiercing spike. With the aid of the compressed-air tip, compressed airis then introduced into the reservoir such that the beverage substanceis pushed into the mixing chamber through the grooves and forms thebeverage with the fluid within the mixing chamber. Preferably, for thispurpose, the compressed-air line is integrated into the compressed-airtip. On a side of the compressed-air tip that is in particular remotefrom the reservoir, the compressed-air connection is formed, wherein thecompressed-air connection is preferably accessible from outside thecartridge receptacle and can thus be connected to the compressed-airsource of the beverage preparation machine. It is conceivable for thecompressed-air tip to be transferred from the retracted position intothe extended position by a release element of the beverage preparationmachine when the cartridge system is inserted into the beveragepreparation machine. Preferably, compressed air is already applied tothe compressed-air tip in this case, in order to prevent anyback-contamination. Alternatively, the compressed-air tip is moved fromthe retracted position into the extended position by the compressed airapplied via the beverage preparation machine.

In an alternative form of the above-described embodiment, the piercingspike is not configured in a manner fixed to or in one piece with thecartridge receptacle, but rather the cartridge receptacle comprises aspike guide and a piercing spike mounted in a displaceable manner withinthe spike guide. The piercing spike is mounted so as to be displaceablewith respect to the spike guide between a retracted position, in whichthe piercing spike is away from the sealing element, and an extendedposition, in which the piercing spike pierces the sealing element andprojects into the reservoir. The outer wall of the piercing spike is inturn provided with at least one lateral channel for conveying thebeverage substance in the direction of the mixing chamber when thesealing element has been pierced. Through the lateral channel formedlaterally on the piercing spike, the beverage substance can then flowpast the sealing element in the direction of the mixing chamber.Preferably, a plurality of lateral channels are formed on the piercingspike. The lateral channels are in particular each configured in theform of a groove that is open on one side.

It is also conceivable in this embodiment for the cross section of thelateral channels and/or the number of the lateral channels to be adaptedto the viscosity of the beverage substance, such that the lateralchannels control or limit the flow of the beverage substance in thedirection of the mixing chamber. At a high viscosity, a plurality oflateral channels or lateral channels with a relatively large crosssection are used, while, at a lower viscosity, fewer lateral channels orlateral channels with a smaller cross section are provided. Thus, amatching cartridge receptacle exists for each cartridge.

Preferably, the compressed-air line is integrated into the piercingspike in this alternative form, too. The piercing spike does not have amovable compressed-air tip, however, but rather the compressed-air lineleads into the cartridge opening through a fixed compressed-air tip atthe end of the piercing spike. On a side of the piercing spike that isin particular remote from the reservoir, the compressed-air connectionis formed, wherein the compressed-air connection is accessiblepreferably from outside the cartridge receptacle. Preferably, thepiercing spike is transferred from the retracted position into theextended position by a release element of the beverage preparationmachine when the cartridge system is inserted into the beveragepreparation machine. Preferably, compressed air is already applied tothe compressed-air tip in this case, in order to prevent anyback-contamination of the beverage preparation machine. Alternatively,the compressed-air tip is moved from the retracted position into theextended position by the compressed air applied via the beveragepreparation machine.

According to a preferred further embodiment of the present invention,provision is made for the cartridge to have a further cartridge openingon an opposite side from the cartridge opening, said further cartridgeopening being closed by a further sealing element, in particular afurther sealing foil. Advantageously, the cartridge can thus also beproduced in a favorable injection-molding process.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, provisionis made for the cartridge and/or the cartridge receptacle to have aproduct identifier and for the beverage preparation machine or thecartridge receptacle to have an identifier detector for identifying theproduct identifier. Preferably, the product identifier is embedded in abarcode, an RFID code, a QR code, a data matrix code, a color code, ahologram code or the like. Advantageously, automated reading of theproduct identifier is thus possible. The identifier detector comprisesin particular an optical sensor, for example a CCD camera, whichautomatically reads the barcode or QR code or data matrix code when thecartridge has been inserted into the beverage preparation machine.Alternatively, the identifier detector comprises a transceiver antennafor automatically reading the RFID codes. Alternatively, it would beconceivable for the product identifier also to be embedded in otherautomatically readable computer chips. The term QR code includes, withinthe meaning of the present invention, in particular any data matrixcode. In this regard, the terms QR code and data matrix code are usedsynonymously. Alternatively or additionally, it would also beconceivable for the product identifier to comprise a barcode, a dotcode, a binary code, a Morse code, Braille code (embossed printing) orthe like. The code can in this case also be embedded in athree-dimensional structure, for example a relief. The productidentifier comprises in particular what is known as the productidentification number, in particular a Universal Product Code (UPC), aEuropean Article Number (EAN), a GS1 code, a Global Trade Item Number(GTIN) or the like. In this way, it is not necessary for a new codesystem to be introduced. In particular, the product identifier iscovered by the GS1 standard.

The product identifier serves in particular to specify the beveragesubstance located in the cartridge. During or before the start of thebeverage preparation process, the product identifier is read with theidentifier detector. Thus, the beverage preparation machine knows whichtype of cartridge has been introduced into the beverage preparationmachine. It is conceivable for an evaluation and control unit of thebeverage preparation machine to have a multiplicity of prestoredbeverage production programs which are provided for the preparation ofdifferent beverages and differ from one another for example in terms ofthe delivery rate, delivery time, delivery pauses, temperature, degreeof carbonation and/or pressure of the fluid fed. It is also conceivablefor different compressed-air feeds (for example at different pressures)to be used in different beverage production programs. Each beverageproduction program is linked to one or more product identifiers. When acartridge is introduced into the beverage preparation machine, theproduct identifier on the cartridge is read with the identifier detectorand then compared with the prestored data. Using the product identifier,a beverage production program is thus selected from the plurality ofprestored beverage production programs and subsequently the beverageproduction process with the selected beverage production program isstarted. The parameters such as delivery rate, delivery time, deliverypauses, temperature, degree of carbonation and/or pressure of the fluidfed are predetermined or controlled by the selected beverage productionprogram in order to achieve optimal results for the beverage to beproduced with the particular beverage substance.

It is conceivable for the beverage production process not to start atall when a product identifier is not identifiable or the identifiedproduct identifier does not match any prestored beverage productionprogram. This prevents a system-incompatible cartridge from being usedin the beverage production machine, which is not certified for operationin the beverage production machine, with the result that there would bethe risk of damage to the beverage production machine or a hazard to theuser, for example by bursting of the cartridge (when the latter isintended for operation at lower pressures).

The product identifier is preferably printed or stuck on the wall of thecartridge or on the sealing element (in particular the sealing foil) forsealing off the cartridge opening. In particular, the product identifieris positioned on the cartridge such that the product identifier isarranged within the range of detection of the identifier detector of thebeverage preparation machine when the cartridge has been inserted intothe beverage preparation machine. Alternatively, it would also beconceivable for the product identifier not to be arranged on thecartridge but in an appropriate manner on an outer wall of the cartridgereceptacle.

A further subject of the present invention for achieving the objectstated at the beginning is a beverage preparation machine into which thecartridge system according to the invention is insertable, wherein thebeverage preparation machine has a retaining unit into which thecartridge receptacle connected to the cartridge is insertable, a fluidsource for injecting the fluid into the fluid feed, and a compressed-airsource for blowing compressed air into the compressed-air connection.Preferably, the beverage preparation machine has the release element fortransferring the compressed-air tip or the piercing spike from theretracted position into the extended position.

Preferably, the beverage preparation machine has the evaluation andcontrol unit, which is coupled to the identifier detector and isintended to determine the product identifier by analyzing the detectedQR code. Preferably, the evaluation electronics determine from the QRcode the GS1 code, which allows unambiguous identification of thecartridge arranged in the beverage preparation machine. The beveragepreparation machine furthermore preferably has a comparison unit whichis intended to compare the determined product identifier with a list ofprestored product identifiers and selects a beverage production programon the basis of the comparison. Alternatively, it is conceivable for thebeverage preparation machine to have an algorithm identification meanswhich uses an algorithm to identify whether the detected QR code belongsto the system (i.e. is known) or is system-incompatible. The algorithmin this case functions in accordance with the known cryptographicencryption/decryption methods.

A further subject of the present invention for achieving the objectstated at the beginning is a method for producing a beverage with thecartridge system according to the invention, having the following steps:inserting the cartridge system into a retaining unit of a beveragepreparation machine; transferring the beverage substance from thereservoir of the cartridge into the mixing chamber of the cartridgereceptacle by means of the cartridge emptying device; injecting a fluidinto the mixing chamber by means of the fluid feed; and discharging thebeverage created in the mixing chamber by blending the beveragesubstance with the fluid, by means of a beverage outlet. Preferably, inthe process, the beverage substance is transferred from the reservoirinto the mixing chamber by compressed air.

Preferably, before being injected into the mixing chamber, the fluid iscooled and/or carbonated, such that cold beverages and carbonated softdrinks are producible.

According to a preferred further embodiment of the present inventionprovision is made, before, during or after the insertion of thecartridge system into the retaining unit, for a compressed-air tip orthe piercing spike to be transferred from a retracted position into anextended position and to perforate a sealing element at the cartridgeopening. Advantageously, the reservoir is thus opened automatically,such that the beverage substance can be transferred into the mixingchamber. Preferably, during the opening operation, compressed air andfluid are already introduced into the cartridge receptacle, such thatback-contamination of the beverage preparation machine by beveragesubstance is prevented. The compressed-air tip and/or the piercing spikeare transferred in particular by a driven actuator or by compressed air.

According to a preferred alternative embodiment of the presentinvention, provision is made, before, during or after the insertion ofthe cartridge system into the retaining unit, for a fluidic connectionto be established between the reservoir and the mixing chamber by avalve unit being opened by way of a relative movement between a coverelement and an outlet element. Advantageously, the reservoir is thusopened automatically, such that the beverage substance can betransferred into the mixing chamber. Preferably, during the valveopening operation, compressed air and fluid are already introduced intothe cartridge receptacle, such that back-contamination of the beveragepreparation machine by beverage substance is prevented. The relativemovement is brought about in particular by a driven actuator or bycompressed air.

Further details, features and advantages of the invention are apparentfrom the drawings, and from the following description of preferredembodiments with reference to the drawings. The drawings illustratemerely exemplary embodiments of the invention which do not limit theessential concept of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the basic principle of the method for producing a beveragewith a cartridge receptacle and a cartridge system inserted into abeverage preparation machine according to one exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIGS. 2a to 2h show schematic views of a cartridge receptacle and of acartridge system according to a first embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIGS. 3a to 3g show schematic views of a cartridge receptacle and of acartridge system according to a second embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIGS. 4a to 4c show schematic views of a cartridge receptacle and of acartridge system according to a third embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIGS. 5a and 5b show schematic views of a cartridge receptacle and of acartridge system inserted into a retaining unit of a beveragepreparation machine according to a third embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the various figures, identical parts are always provided with thesame reference signs and are therefore each generally also mentionedonly once.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a cartridge system 1according to the invention, which has been inserted into a beveragepreparation machine 3 and by means of which a beverage 70 is prepared,in order to illustrate the general operating principle.

The present system comprises the beverage preparation machine 3(illustrated only schematically), into which exchangeable cartridgesystems 1 are insertable. Each cartridge system 2 has a cartridge 2which is filled with a particular beverage substance 7. Within thebeverage preparation machine 3, a corresponding beverage 70 is createdwith the aid of the beverage substance 7 and an additional water source,referred to as fluid source 41 in the following text. The cartridge 2 isin this case preferably filled with a pre-portioned quantity of beveragesubstance 7 which is necessary for creating a specific drinking portion,for example a drinking glass filling of the desired beverage 70. Inparticular a plurality of different cartridge systems 1 are available,the cartridges 2 or reservoirs 6 of which are filled with differentbeverage substances 7 for producing different beverages 70. When theuser of the system 1 wishes to drink a particular beverage 70, all heneeds to do is choose, from the plurality of different cartridge systems1, that cartridge system 1 which contains the corresponding beveragesubstance 7 for producing the desired beverage 70, insert it into aretaining unit 90 of the beverage preparation machine 3 and ifappropriate start the beverage production process at the beveragepreparation machine 3, for example by pressing a start button, bytouching a touch sensitive display in an appropriate manner, by gestureor voice control, or by means of a suitable application on a cell phone.It is also conceivable for the beverage production process to startautomatically when the insertion of a new cartridge system 1 into theretaining unit 90 is detected. In each of the abovementioned cases, thedesired beverage 70 is then produced automatically, conveyed into adrinking vessel and thus provided to the user. Subsequently, the used-upcartridge system 1 is removed and disposed of. The beverage preparationmachine 3 is now ready once again to be filled with any desired newcartridge system 1 in order to produce a further beverage 70.

The beverage substance 7 comprises preferably liquid premixingconstituents for soft drinks, such as caffeinated, carbonated, fruityand/or sugary sodas and juices, beer (mixed) drinks, or other alcoholicor nonalcoholic (mixed) drinks.

The cartridge system 1 comprises a cartridge 2 in the form of acylindrical container with rounded corners. The container is hollow andthus contains a reservoir 6 for the beverage substance 7. The cartridge2 is produced in particular from plastic and by an injectionblow-molding process. The cartridge 2 also has a cartridge opening 63through which the reservoir 6 is filled with the liquid beveragesubstance 7. The bottom of the reservoir 6 is configured in afunnel-shaped manner in the present example, wherein the cartridgeopening 63 is arranged in the center of the funnel-shaped bottom. Thecartridge 2 is reversibly connected to a cartridge receptacle 10according to the invention which is connected to the cartridge 2 bymeans of a latching connection 50 in the region of the cartridge opening63 after the filling of the cartridge 2. The cartridge receptacle 10 tothis end has lateral latching elements 51 in the form of elasticretaining arms, which engage around a circumferential retaining flange52, arranged in the region of the cartridge opening 63, of the cartridge2. The cartridge receptacle 10 is clip-fastened onto the cartridge 2after the filling of the cartridge 2.

The cartridge receptacle 10 has a mixing chamber 8 which is fluidicallyconnected to the reservoir 6 during the beverage production process,such that, with the aid of a cartridge emptying device 34 of thecartridge receptacle 10, the beverage substance 7 can be transferred atleast partially out of the reservoir 6 into the mixing chamber 8. Thecartridge emptying device 34 to this end comprises a compressed-air line40. One end of the compressed-air line 40 is connected to acompressed-air connection 42 which can be connected to a compressed-airsource 41 of the beverage preparation machine 3 in order to introducecompressed air into the compressed-air line 40, while the other endleads into a compressed-air outlet 43 which is open in the direction ofthe reservoir 6 and introduces compressed air into the reservoir 6. Theintroduction of the compressed air causes the beverage substance 7 to bepushed into the mixing chamber 8.

A fluid feed 12 of the cartridge receptacle 10, which is supplied by afluid source 91 of the beverage preparation machine 3, also leads intothe mixing chamber 8. It is conceivable for the fluid feed 12 to have aquick coupling, by way of which the fluid feed 12 can be connected tothe fluid source 91 of the beverage preparation machine 3. The quickcoupling can be configured for example such that, when the cartridgesystem 1 is inserted into the retaining unit 90, a fluidic connection isautomatically established between the fluid source 91 and the mixingchamber 8 via the fluid feed 12. During the beverage production process,fluid, in particular cooled and carbonated drinking water, passes fromthe fluid feed 12 into the mixing chamber 8 via this fluidic connection.Furthermore, during the beverage production process, beverage substance7 passes from the reservoir 6 into the mixing chamber 8, as describedabove. As a result of the beverage substance 7 being blended with thefluid in the mixing chamber 8, the beverage 70 is formed, which thenleaves the mixing chamber 8 through a beverage outlet 11.

The cartridge receptacle 10 has the beverage outlet 11, through whichthe beverage 70 produced within the mixing chamber 8 leaves the mixingchamber 8, and is conveyed in particular directly into the drinkingvessel (not depicted), i.e. without parts of the beverage preparationmachine 3 coming into contact with the beverage 70. In this way,back-contamination of the beverage preparation machine 3 is prevented.The drinking vessel is arranged in particular directly beneath thebeverage outlet 11.

Following completion of the beverage production process, the cartridgesystem 1 is removed from the retaining unit 90, such that the beverageproduction machine 3 can be fitted with a new and unused cartridgesystem 1. The cartridge receptacle 10 can be reused by being separatedfrom the used cartridge 2 by releasing the latching connection 50, andbeing clip-fastened onto a new cartridge 2.

Three different embodiments of the cartridge system 1 are described inthe following text. The three different embodiments differ in particularin that the cartridge receptacle 10 is configured in different ways andthe mechanism for establishing the fluidic connection between thereservoir 6 and the mixing chamber 8 is configured in different ways;otherwise, all three embodiments correspond substantially to thecartridge system 1 illustrated above by way of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 2a to 2h illustrate schematic views of a cartridge receptacle 10and of a cartridge system 1 according to a first embodiment of thepresent invention.

In this first embodiment, the cartridge receptacle 10 comprises a coverelement 60 and a separate outlet element 61. The cover element 60 isclip-fastened directly onto the cartridge 2 by means of the releasablelatching connection 50 explained above. The outlet element 61 is alsoclip-fastened onto the cover element 60, likewise by way of a releasablelatching connection. The mixing chamber 8 and the beverage outlet 11 areintegrated into the outlet element 61. Formed between the cover element60 and the outlet element 61 is a valve unit which closes the cartridgeopening 63 and opens only during the beverage production process inorder to allow the beverage substance 7 to be transferred into themixing chamber 8. During the beverage production process, the valve unitalso acts as a flow control, which limits or controls the flow ofbeverage substance 7 into the mixing chamber 8.

To form the valve unit, the cover element 60 comprises a central passageopening 62 which is arranged in the region of the open cartridge opening63 and is thus fluidically connected directly to the reservoir 6. Theoutlet element 61 has a protrusion 64 which protrudes into the passageopening 62. The protrusion 64 is configured in the form of an anvil andcomprises an external peripheral sealing edge which forms across-sectional enlargement with respect to the base of the anvil. Byway of a relative movement between the cover element 60 and the outletelement 61, the protrusion 64 is shifted from a position closing thepassage opening 62 into a position partially opening up the passageopening 62. In the closing position, the sealing edge bears flat againstthe inner wall of the passage opening 62, such that the passage opening63 is closed for beverage substance 7. As a result of the relativemovement, in the present example, the protrusion 63 is shifted linearlyaway from the reservoir 6 and in the direction of the mixing chamber 8,such that the external peripheral sealing edge passes into a region ofthe passage opening 63 which is provided with a plurality of parallellateral channels 82. The sealing action of the sealing edge is thuseliminated since the beverage substance 7 can now flow around thesealing edge, through the lateral channels 82, in the direction of themixing chamber 8. The lateral channels 82 extend in a linear directionin the wall of the passage opening 63 and each comprise a groove that isopen on one side. The lateral channels 82 accordingly extendperpendicularly to the cross section of the passage opening 63, but eachextend only over a section of the wall, in order that the positionclosing the passage opening 62 and the position partially opening up thepassage opening 62 are realized.

The cross section of the lateral channels 82 and/or the number of thelateral channels 82 is preferably adapted to the viscosity of thebeverage substance 7, such that the lateral channels 82 control or limitthe flow of the beverage substance 7 in the direction of the mixingchamber 8. At a high viscosity, a plurality of lateral channels 82and/or lateral channels 82 with a relatively large cross section areused, while, at a lower viscosity, fewer lateral channels 82 and/orlateral channels 82 with a smaller cross section are provided.

The relative movement between the cover element 60 and outlet element 61is carried out either manually before the insertion of the cartridgesystem 1 into the beverage preparation machine 3 or automatically duringor after the insertion of the cartridge system 1 into the beveragepreparation machine 3.

In order that the beverage production process proceeds rapidly, thetransfer of the beverage substance 7 from the reservoir 6 into themixing chamber 8 is supported by the cartridge emptying device 34. Thecartridge emptying device 34 comprises, in the present example, acompressed-air outlet 43, which is configured in the form of a hollowspike protruding into the cartridge opening 63. By way of this spike,compressed air is blown into the reservoir 6, said compressed aircausing the beverage substance 7 to pass out through the lateralchannels 82 to the mixing chamber 8, or accelerating this. Thecompressed air is provided by the beverage preparation machine 3 andintroduced into the cartridge receptacle 10 via a compressed-airconnection 42, and conveyed to the hollow spike by means of acompressed-air line 40. The hollow spike is part of the cover element60, while the compressed-air connection 42 and the compressed-air line40 can optionally be formed either in the cover element 60 or in theoutlet element 61. The hollow spike as part of the cover element 60 isthus already fluidically connected to the reservoir 6 before the passageopening 62 is opened. The mixing chamber 8 additionally has the separatefluid feed 12, through which the mixing chamber 8 is supplied with inparticular cooled and/or carbonated drinking water. The fluid feed 12is, in the present example, part of the outlet element 61.

Preferably, both the fluid source 91 and the compressed-air source 41are coupled directly to the fluid feed 12 and to the compressed-airconnection 42, respectively, as soon as the cartridge system 1 isinserted into the beverage preparation machine 3 or a beverageproduction process is started, and in particular before the passageopening 62 is opened. In this way, back-contamination in the directionof the beverage preparation machine 3 is effectively avoided because thefluid feed 12 and the cartridge emptying device 34 are immediately underoverpressure upon insertion of the cartridge system 1, and this preventsthe beverage substance 7 from traveling in the direction of the fluidsource 91 and compressed-air source 41, respectively. The beveragesubstance 7 can thus move only in the direction of the mixing chamber 8from the reservoir 6 as soon as the passage opening 62 is opened.

FIGS. 3a to 3g illustrate schematic views of a cartridge receptacle 10and of a cartridge system 1 according to a second embodiment of thepresent invention.

The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that thecartridge receptacle 10 is no longer embodied in two parts (separatecover element 60 and outlet element 61) but in one part, i.e. the coverelement 60 and outlet element 61 are configured as a common part (thecartridge receptacle 10), which is clip-fastened onto the cartridge 2 inthe above-described manner and has the mixing chamber 8, beverage outlet11, cartridge emptying device 34, and fluid feed 12. In order that thecartridge 2 is closed in an aroma-tight manner during the storage andtransport of the cartridge system 1, in the present embodiment, thecartridge opening 63 is closed with a sealing element 18 in the form ofa thin sealing foil. Following the production of the cartridge 2 in theinjection blow-molding process, the sealing foil is adhesively bonded orsealed onto the edge of the cartridge opening 63 (see FIG. 3a ). Onlythen is the cartridge receptacle 10 clip-fastened onto the cartridge 2(see FIG. 3b ).

FIG. 3c shows an alternative in which the cartridge 2 has not beenproduced in an injection blow-molding process but in aninjection-molding process. The cartridge 2 in this case has a furthercartridge opening which is closed by a further sealing foil 19 in thatthe further sealing foil 19 is sealed onto the edge of the furthercartridge opening in an analogous manner. Since two sealing steps arenecessary in this case, this alternative is less preferred, however.FIGS. 3d to 3g are therefore based on the cartridge 2 shown in FIGS. 3aand 3b again.

The cartridge receptacle 10 now has, in the second embodiment, a fixedpiercing spike 73, which protrudes in the direction of the cartridge 2.As a result of a relative movement between the cartridge 2 and thereceiving element 10 toward one another, the piercing spike 73 piercesthe sealing element 18. After the production of the cartridge system 1,the cartridge 2 initially sits in a preliminary position within thecartridge receptacle 10, in which the piercing spike 73 is away from thesealing element 18. It is only immediately before, during or immediatelyafter the introduction of the cartridge system 1 into the beveragepreparation machine 3 or immediately after the initiation of thebeverage production process that the cartridge 2 is transferred fromthis preliminary position into an end position in which the piercingspike 73 penetrates the sealing element 18. When the cartridge 2 istransferred from the preliminary position into the end position, thecartridge 2 and the cartridge receptacle 10 are moved further toward oneanother in translation, wherein the sealing element 18 is activelypierced by the piercing spike 73 during this movement (cf. FIG. 3e=>FIG. 3f ). The piercing spike 73 subsequently projects through thesealing element 18 in the cartridge opening 63 in the direction of thereservoir 6. Introduced into the outer side of the piercing spike 73 area plurality of lateral channels 71 which are configured in the form ofgrooves that are open on one side and extend parallel to one another.Following the piercing of the sealing element 18, the lateral channels71 become fluidically connected to the reservoir 6, such that thebeverage substance 7 can flow around the edges of the pierced sealingelement 18 in the direction of the mixing chamber 8.

In this embodiment, too, the cross section of the lateral channels 71and/or the number of the lateral channels 71 is preferably adapted tothe viscosity of the beverage substance 7, such that the lateralchannels 71 control or limit the flow of the beverage substance 7 in thedirection of the mixing chamber 8. At a high viscosity, a plurality oflateral channels 71 and/or lateral channels 71 with a relatively largecross section are used, while, at a lower viscosity, fewer lateralchannels 71 and/or lateral channels 71 with a smaller cross section areprovided.

The piercing spike 73 has a through-hole in which a compressed-air tip72 is arranged in a movable manner. The compressed-air tip 72 can beshifted between a retracted position, in which the compressed-air tip 72does not project beyond the piercing spike 73 in the direction of thereservoir 6 (illustrated in FIG. 3f ), and an extended position, inwhich the compressed-air tip 72 projects beyond the piercing spike 73into the cartridge opening 62 or into the reservoir 6 (illustrated inFIG. 3g ). Integrated into the compressed-air tip 72 is thecompressed-air line 40, which is connected to the compressed-airconnection 42. On a side of the compressed-air tip 72 that is inparticular remote from the reservoir 6, the compressed-air connection 42is formed, such that it is accessible from outside the cartridgereceptacle 10 and can be connected directly to the compressed-air source41 of the beverage preparation machine 3.

The compressed-air tip 72 is transferred from the retracted position inthe direction of the extended position after the sealing element 18 hasbeen perforated by the piercing spike 73. With the aid of thecompressed-air tip 72, compressed air is then blown into the reservoir 6such that the beverage substance 7 is pushed through the lateralchannels 71 into the mixing chamber 8. Within the mixing chamber 8, thebeverage substance 7 is blended with the fluid and thus forms thebeverage 70. It is conceivable for the compressed-air tip 72 to betransferred from the retracted position into the extended position whenor after the cartridge system 1 is inserted into the beveragepreparation machine 3 or after the start of the beverage productionprocess. This takes place in particular by compressed air being appliedto the compressed-air tip 72 with the result that the compressed-air tip72 is shifted from the retracted position into the extended position.

Preferably, both the fluid source 91 and the compressed-air source 41are coupled directly to the fluid feed 12 and to the compressed-airconnection 42, respectively, as soon as the cartridge system 1 isinserted into the beverage preparation machine 3 or a beverageproduction process is started, and in particular before the sealingelement 18 is opened. In this way, back-contamination in the directionof the beverage preparation machine 3 is effectively avoided because thefluid feed 12 and the cartridge emptying device 34 are immediately underoverpressure upon insertion of the cartridge system 1, and this preventsthe beverage substance 7 from traveling in the direction of the fluidsource 91 and compressed-air source 41, respectively. The beveragesubstance 7 can thus move only in the direction of the mixing chamber 8from the reservoir 6 as soon as the sealing element 18 is opened.

FIGS. 4a to 4c illustrate schematic views of a cartridge receptacle 10and of a cartridge system 1 according to a third embodiment of thepresent invention. The third embodiment is similar to the secondembodiment illustrated by FIGS. 3a to 3g , although, in the thirdembodiment, in contrast to the second embodiment, the piercing spike 73is not fixedly connected to the cartridge receptacle 10, but rather thecartridge receptacle 10 has a spike guide 80 in which the piercing spike73 is mounted in a displaceable manner. The sealing element 18 is inthis case opened not by a relative movement between the cartridge 2 andcartridge receptacle 10 but by the displaceable piercing spike 73 beingtransferred between a retracted position, in which the piercing spike 73is away from the sealing element 18 (cf. FIG. 4b ), and an extendedposition, in which the piercing spike 73 pierces the sealing element 18(cf. FIG. 4c ) and projects into the cartridge opening 63 or into thereservoir 6.

The outer wall of the piercing spike 73 is again provided with theplurality of lateral channels 82 for conveying the beverage substance 7in the direction of the mixing chamber 8 when the sealing element 18 ispierced, as has already been described for the second embodiment.Furthermore, the compressed-air line 40 is integrated into the piercingspike 73. The piercing spike 73 furthermore does not have a movablecompressed-air tip 72, however, as in the second embodiment, but ratherthe compressed-air line 40 leads into the cartridge opening 63 through afixed compressed-air tip 72 at the end of the piercing spike 73. In thisregard—unlike in the second embodiment—no shifting of the compressed-airtip 72 relative to the piercing spike 73 is necessary here, either.Rather, the compressed-air tip 72 projects automatically into thepassage opening 63 when the piercing spike 73 has been shifted into theextended position.

Again, on a side of the piercing spike 73 that is in particular remotefrom the reservoir 6, the compressed-air connection 42 is formed, whichis thus accessible from outside the cartridge receptacle 10 and isconnectable to the compressed-air source 41 of the beverage preparationmachine 3. Preferably, the piercing spike 73 is transferred from theretracted position into the extended position during or after theinsertion of the cartridge system 10 into the beverage preparationmachine 3 or after the starting of the beverage production process,preferably by compressed air, which flows into the cartridge emptyingdevice 34 when the compressed-air source 41 is connected to thecompressed-air connection 42, which is formed at the bottom end of thepiercing spike 73.

In an analogous manner to the second embodiment, provision is alsopreferably made in the third embodiment for both the fluid source 91 andthe compressed-air source 41 to be coupled directly to the fluid feed 12and to the compressed-air connection 42, respectively, as soon as thecartridge system 1 is inserted into the beverage preparation machine 3or a beverage production process is started, and in particular beforethe sealing element 18 is pierced. In this way, back-contamination inthe direction of the beverage preparation machine 3 is effectivelyavoided because the fluid feed 12 and the cartridge emptying device 34are immediately under overpressure upon insertion of the cartridgesystem 1, and this prevents the beverage substance 7 from traveling inthe direction of the fluid source 91 and compressed-air source 41,respectively. The beverage substance 7 can thus move only in thedirection of the mixing chamber 8 from the reservoir 6 as soon as thesealing element 18 is opened.

FIG. 5a illustrates a schematic view of a cartridge receptacle 10 and ofa cartridge system 1 according to the first, second or third embodimentof the present invention, inserted into a retaining unit 90 of abeverage preparation machine 3. FIG. 5b shows a detail view of theretaining unit 90, which consists substantially of a receptacle for thecartridge receptacle 10, and comprises a line, running to the fluidsource 91 of the beverage preparation machine 3, for connecting to thefluid feed of the cartridge system 1.

The present teachings envision any of the following features of acartridge receptacle, a cartridge system, and/or a beverage preparationmachine in any combination: a cartridge receptacle for producing abeverage by means of a cartridge which comprises a reservoir filled witha beverage substance; the cartridge receptacle is insertable into abeverage preparation machine and is connectable to a cartridge; thecartridge receptacle has a mixing chamber that is fluidicallyconnectable to the reservoir and a fluid feed that leads into the mixingchamber; the cartridge receptacle has a cartridge emptying device whichis provided to at least partially transfer the beverage substance fromthe reservoir into the mixing chamber; the cartridge receptacle isconnectable fixedly or releasably to the cartridge; the mixing chamberhas mixing structures in the region of the outlet of the fluid feed intothe mixing chamber; the cartridge emptying device comprises acompressed-air connection for connecting to the compressed-air source,and a compressed-air line which extends from the compressed-airconnection to a compressed-air outlet; the compressed-air outletprotrudes in particular in the direction of the reservoir of thecartridge in order to blow compressed air into the reservoir; thecartridge emptying device is configured such that the beverage substanceis pushed out of the reservoir into the mixing chamber by the compressedair; the mixing chamber has a beverage outlet through which the beverageformed from a blend of the beverage substance with the fluid isdispensed; the cartridge receptacle is preferably configured such thatthe beverage is able to be introduced directly into a portable vesselfrom the beverage outlet; the cartridge receptacle is releasablyconnectable to the cartridge via a latching connection; the cartridgereceptacle has elastic latching elements which engage behind a retainingflange formed on the cartridge when the cartridge is fastened in thecartridge receptacle; the cartridge receptacle is formed substantiallyin one part; the cartridge receptacle comprises a cover element and anoutlet element connected to the cover element; the cover element isreversibly connectable and in particular latchable to the cartridge suchthat a cartridge opening leading to the reservoir is closed at leasttemporarily or partially by the cover element; the outlet element isreversibly connectable and in particular latchable to the cover element;the outlet element has the fluid feed, the compressed-air connection,the mixing chamber and/or the beverage outlet; the cover element has thecompressed-air outlet, projecting in the direction of the reservoir, inparticular in the form of a hollow spike, which is operatively connectedvia the compressed-air line to the compressed-air connection formed onthe cover element or on the outlet element; a fluidic connection betweenthe cartridge opening and the mixing chamber is able to be establishedby means of a valve unit; the valve unit is transferable by a relativemovement between the cover element and the outlet element from a closedstate into an open state in order to establish the fluidic connection;the cover element has a passage opening leading to the cartridgeopening; the valve unit is formed by the passage opening and aprotrusion, protruding into the passage opening, of the outlet element;by way of a relative movement between the cover element and the outletelement, the protrusion is shifted from a position closing the passageopening into a position partially opening up the passage opening; thewall of the passage opening is provided with at least one lateralchannel; the protrusion is arranged in the region of the at least onelateral channel in the position partially opening up the passageopening; the cartridge has a cartridge opening fluidically connected tothe reservoir; the cartridge opening is closed by a sealing element; thesealing element comprises in particular a sealing foil which has beenapplied to and preferably sealed onto the edge of the cartridge opening;the cartridge receptacle comprises a piercing spike that protrudes inthe direction of the cartridge, such that, as a result of a relativemovement between the cartridge receptacle and the cartridge, thepiercing spike pierces the sealing element and a fluidic connectionbetween the reservoir and the mixing chamber is created; at least onelateral channel for conveying the beverage substance in the direction ofthe mixing chamber when the sealing element has been pierced has beenintroduced into the wall of the piercing spike; the piercing spike has athrough-hole in which a compressed-air tip is mounted so as to bedisplaceable between a retracted position, in which the compressed-airtip does not project beyond the piercing spike in the direction of thereservoir, and an extended position, in which the compressed-air tipprojects beyond the piercing spike and into the reservoir; thecompressed-air line is integrated into the compressed-air tip; thecompressed-air connection is formed on a side of the compressed-air tipthat is in particular remote from the reservoir; the compressed-airconnection is preferably accessible from outside the cartridgereceptacle; the compressed-air tip is transferred from the retractedposition into the extended position by a release element of the beveragepreparation machine when the cartridge system is inserted into thebeverage preparation machine; the cartridge receptacle comprises a spikeguide and a piercing spike mounted in a displaceable manner within thespike guide; the piercing spike is displaceable between a retractedposition, in which the piercing spike is away from the sealing element,and an extended position, in which the piercing spike pierces thesealing element and projects into the reservoir; at least one lateralchannel for conveying the beverage substance in the direction of themixing chamber when the sealing element has been pierced has beenintroduced into the outer wall of the piercing spike; the compressed-airline is integrated into the piercing spike; the compressed-airconnection is formed on a side of the piercing spike that is inparticular remote from the reservoir; the compressed-air connection ispreferably accessible from outside the cartridge receptacle; thepiercing spike is transferred from the retracted position into theextended position by a release element of the beverage preparationmachine when the cartridge system is inserted into the beveragepreparation machine; the cartridge system is insertable into a beveragepreparation machine; the cartridge system has a cartridge, whichcomprises a reservoir filled with a beverage substance, and a cartridgereceptacle, connected to the cartridge; the cartridge receptacle has amixing chamber, a cartridge emptying device which is provided to atleast partially transfer the beverage substance from the reservoir intothe mixing chamber, and a fluid feed that leads into the mixing chamber;the cartridge is connected fixedly or releasably to the cartridgereceptacle; the cartridge system is configured such that the beveragesubstance is pushed out of the reservoir into the mixing chamber by thecompressed air; the fluid feed is supplied with fluid which is cooled bya refrigeration unit; the refrigeration unit is part of the beveragepreparation machine or of a separate refrigerator operatively connectedto the beverage preparation machine; the refrigeration unit comprises acompressor cooling unit, an absorber cooling unit or a thermoelectriccooler; the fluid feed is supplied with fluid to which carbonic acid isadded by a carbonator; the carbonator is part of the beveragepreparation machine; the carbonator has a receptacle for a CO₂ cartridgeand a feeding device for adding CO₂ from the CO₂ cartridge to the fluid;the cartridge receptacle is releasably connected to the cartridge via alatching connection; the cartridge receptacle has elastic latchingelements which engage behind a retaining flange formed on the cartridgewhen the cartridge is fastened in the cartridge receptacle; thecartridge has a cartridge opening fluidically connected to thereservoir; the cartridge opening is closed by a sealing element; thesealing element comprises in particular a sealing foil which has beenapplied to and preferably sealed onto the edge of the cartridge opening;the cartridge has a further cartridge opening on an opposite side fromthe cartridge opening, said further cartridge opening being closed by afurther sealing element, in particular a further sealing foil; abeverage preparation machine for producing a beverage, into which acartridge system is insertable; the beverage preparation machine has aretaining unit into which the cartridge receptacle connected to thecartridge is insertable, a fluid source for injecting the fluid into thefluid feed, and a compressed-air source for blowing compressed air intothe compressed-air connection; the beverage preparation machine has therelease element for transferring the compressed-air tip or the piercingspike from the retracted position into the extended position.

The present teachings also envision a method for producing a beveragewith a cartridge system having any of the following steps or elements inany combination: inserting the cartridge system into a retaining unit ofa beverage preparation machine; transferring the beverage substance fromthe reservoir of the cartridge into the mixing chamber of the cartridgereceptacle by means of the cartridge emptying device; injecting a fluidinto the mixing chamber by means of the fluid feed; discharging thebeverage created in the mixing chamber by blending the beveragesubstance with the fluid, by means of a beverage outlet; wherein thebeverage substance is transferred from the reservoir into the mixingchamber by compressed air; wherein the fluid is cooled and/or carbonatedbefore being injected into the mixing chamber; wherein, before, duringor after the insertion of the cartridge system into the retaining unit,a compressed-air tip or the piercing spike is transferred from aretracted position into an extended position and perforates a sealingelement at the cartridge opening; wherein, before, during or after theinsertion of the cartridge system into the retaining unit, a fluidicconnection is established between the reservoir and the mixing chamberby a valve unit being opened by way of a relative movement between acover element and an outlet element.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

-   -   1 Cartridge system    -   2 Cartridge    -   3 Beverage preparation machine    -   6 Reservoir    -   7 Beverage substance    -   8 Mixing chamber    -   10 Cartridge receptacle    -   11 Beverage outlet    -   12 Fluid feed    -   18 Sealing element    -   19 Further sealing element    -   34 Cartridge emptying device    -   40 Compressed-air line    -   41 Compressed-air source    -   42 Compressed-air connection    -   43 Compressed-air outlet    -   50 Latching connection    -   51 Latching elements    -   52 Retaining flange    -   60 Cover element    -   61 Outlet element    -   62 Passage opening    -   63 Cartridge opening    -   64 Protrusion    -   65, 71, 82 Lateral channel    -   70 Beverage    -   71 Lateral channel    -   72 Compressed-air tip    -   73 Piercing spike    -   80 Spike guide    -   81 Piercing spike    -   82 Lateral channel    -   90 Retaining unit    -   91 Fluid source

1. A cartridge receptacle for producing a beverage by means of a cartridge which comprises a reservoir filled with a beverage substance, wherein the cartridge receptacle is insertable into a beverage preparation machine and is connectable to the cartridge; wherein the cartridge receptacle has a mixing chamber that is fluidically connectable to the reservoir and a fluid feed that leads into the mixing chamber; wherein the mixing chamber has mixing structures in a region of an outlet of the fluid feed into the mixing chamber.
 2. The cartridge receptacle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cartridge receptacle has a cartridge emptying device which is provided to at least partially transfer the beverage substance from the reservoir into the mixing chamber.
 3. The cartridge receptacle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cartridge receptacle is connectable fixedly or releasably to the cartridge.
 4. The cartridge receptacle as claimed in claim 2, wherein the cartridge emptying device comprises a compressed-air connection for connecting to a compressed-air source, and a compressed-air line which extends from the compressed-air connection to a compressed-air outlet, and wherein the compressed-air outlet protrudes in particular in a direction of the reservoir of the cartridge in order to blow compressed air into the reservoir, and wherein the cartridge emptying device is configured such that the beverage substance is pushed out of the reservoir into the mixing chamber by the compressed air.
 5. (canceled)
 6. The cartridge receptacle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mixing chamber has a beverage outlet through which the beverage formed from a blend of the beverage substance with fluid is dispensed, wherein the cartridge receptacle is preferably configured such that the beverage is able to be introduced directly into a portable vessel from the beverage outlet.
 7. The cartridge receptacle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cartridge receptacle is releasably connectable to the cartridge via a latching connection.
 8. The cartridge receptacle as claimed in claim 7, wherein the cartridge receptacle has elastic latching elements which engage behind a retaining flange formed on the cartridge when the cartridge is fastened in the cartridge receptacle. 9.-25. (canceled)
 26. A cartridge system for producing a beverage, wherein the cartridge system is insertable into a beverage preparation machine, wherein the cartridge system has a cartridge, which comprises a reservoir filled with a beverage substance, and a cartridge receptacle, connected to the cartridge, as claimed in claim
 1. 27. (canceled)
 28. (canceled)
 29. The cartridge system as claimed in claim 26, wherein the cartridge receptacle includes a fluid feed, and wherein the fluid feed is supplied with fluid which is cooled by a refrigeration unit, wherein the refrigeration unit is part of the beverage preparation machine or of a separate refrigerator operatively connected to the beverage preparation machine.
 30. The cartridge system as claimed in claim 29, wherein the refrigeration unit comprises a compressor cooling unit, an absorber cooling unit or a thermoelectric cooler.
 31. The cartridge system as claimed in claim 29, wherein the fluid feed is supplied with fluid to which carbonic acid is added by a carbonator.
 32. The cartridge system as claimed in claim 31, wherein the carbonator is part of the beverage preparation machine, and wherein the carbonator has a receptacle for a CO₂ cartridge and a feeding device for adding CO₂ from the CO₂ cartridge to the fluid. 33.-36. (canceled)
 37. A beverage preparation machine for producing a beverage, into which the cartridge system as claimed in claim 26 is insertable, wherein the beverage preparation machine has a retaining unit into which the cartridge receptacle connected to the cartridge is insertable, a fluid source for injecting the fluid into the fluid feed, and a compressed-air source for blowing compressed air into the compressed-air connection.
 38. (canceled)
 39. A method for producing a beverage with a cartridge system 44 as claimed in claim 26, having the following steps: inserting the cartridge system into a retaining unit of a beverage preparation machine, transferring the beverage substance from the reservoir of the cartridge into the mixing chamber of the cartridge receptacle by the cartridge emptying device, injecting a fluid into the mixing chamber by the fluid feed, discharging the beverage created in the mixing chamber by blending the beverage substance with the fluid, by a beverage outlet.
 40. The method as claimed in claim 39, wherein the beverage substance is transferred from the reservoir into the mixing chamber by compressed air.
 41. The method as claimed in claim 39, wherein the fluid is cooled and/or carbonated before being injected into the mixing chamber.
 42. (canceled)
 43. (canceled) 